Date Rape and Drugs: What Every Teen Should Know

Some teenagers may dismiss their parents’ admonitions about the dangers of alcohol and drugs, especially if the kids have used these substances before without incident. Teens often do not realize that their parents are trying to protect them from calamities that are much worse than hangovers or underage drinking citations. One of the worst outcomes is being the victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault.

What is Date Rape?

The term “date rape” describes any unwanted sexual activity between two people who have chosen to have a relationship, whether it is a single date, an ongoing friendship, or a romantic affair. In a way, the term is misleading since many date rapes take place where no drugs are involved; plus, the perpetrator may use drugs as a weapon to target someone whom he or she does not know.

Common Date Rape Drugs

Here are the most frequently reported types of drugs that rapists use:

Alcohol is often overlooked, even though it is the most commonly abused drug by teens. Spiking a mixed drink with extra hard liquor makes it possible to commit date rape without having access to any illicit substances.

Rohypnol, also called roofies or R2, is similar to the legal prescription drug benzodiazepine. Each pill is tasteless, odorless, and often colorless when mixed into a drink. Rohypnol victims can become confused and sleepy and have trouble moving their bodies. The effects begin within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last several hours.

GHB, which goes by names like cherry meth, goop, or scoop, is a powerful depressant which is found in both liquid and powdered form. It also has no taste or smell and is colorless when dissolved in a drink. The sleepiness caused by the drug is heightened when mixed with alcohol; its effects begin within 15 to 30 minutes of taking it and can last for up to six hours.

Ketamine, with street names like Special K or Vitamin K, is actually a type of anesthetic used in surgical procedures. Users feel detached from their body and experience distorted perceptions of sight and sound. Numbness and hallucinations are also common. Though the drug’s effects last only about 30 to 60 minutes, ketamine is both odorless and tasteless and can be found in either powder or liquid form.

Ecstasy, also called X and Molly, is found in pill or powder form. Like ketamine, ecstasy also produces psychoactive effects like hallucinations and influenced perception, but it is also a stimulant that can boost the user’s energy level and emotional sensitivity. These symptoms can last for two to four hours.

LSD (or “acid”) is a powerful psychedelic drug that is created synthetically and is found in tablet, liquid, capsule, or even gelatin form. The period of hallucinogenic effects (often called a “trip”) is long for LSD, with users experiencing symptoms for as long as 12 hours. People who take LSD experience visual distortions, euphoric feelings, and sensations of weightlessness in addition to hallucinations.

Factors Which May Signify Being Drugged or Date Raped

Every teen should be aware of the various signs that could indicate that they have been drugged against their will. Common symptoms include:

Extremely impaired judgment

Extreme fatigue

Dizziness

Loss of consciousness or trouble staying awake

Immobility

Feelings of being detached from their body

Memory loss or blackouts

While the effects of drugs may make it difficult for someone to remember whether he or she was sexually assaulted, there are some clues to look for, such as:

An inability to recall previous events after having a single drink

Feeling drunk without drinking alcohol excessively

Noticing that clothing is missing, ripped, or being worn incorrectly

Seeing bruises, cuts, or other signs of pain or trauma that cannot be explained

Feeling like having had sex without remembering that it happened

What You Should Do

If you do feel that you might have been drugged and raped, notify the police immediately so that the likelihood of the rapist being caught remains high. You might have to undergo a drug test or a rape kit so that the authorities can obtain evidence that a rape did occur. Such evidence is vital in prosecuting rapists and bringing them to justice. Finally, be sure to seek counseling to help you process the event.

Taking precautions like staying with your friends at parties, abstaining from underage drinking, and watching all your non-alcoholic drinks being poured can help reduce the risk of being drugged unknowingly. Because while bad things can happen if teens abuse drugs or alcohol, no one deserves to be a victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault.

If you have questions about any type of drugs or you are aware that you have a drug problem that puts you at high risk for date rape or other undesirable consequences, we can help. Feel free to contact us today to have your questions answered and any problems addressed.